Summer Speakers Program

Over its nearly 200 years of existence Port Kent has progressed through several stages: a hopeful commercial center venture to the residential community of today. This presentation will focus on when Port Kent served as a hotbed of tourism and recreation plus other tidbits about additional structures and railroads. The story will be told using a combination of past and present images in the format of a virtual walking tour. Come walk the streets of Port Kent and learn some

Continue reading Summer Speakers Series – Leaving No Trace: Port Kent–A Virtual Walking Tour

The Estes' saga is a true American story. The family history dates back to the 1600s immigrating from England. One man, looking to feed his family, created a small business. That small business, launched in 1847 at Port Kent, scratched and clawed its way from survival to success. Six generations of manufacturing excellence later, Elihu B. Estes's small dream has risen to national prominence serving multiple industries and has earned the title "leaders in color." Doug Estes will intertwine family

Continue reading Summer Speakers Series – The Estes: A Family and Business Through Centuries and Generations

Louis Riel was the founder of the Canadian province Manitoba, and a leader in the independence movement for Saskatchewan. A century and a half after his death, he remains one of the more controversial figures in Canada's history. Why did he find solace (and escape) through multiple trips to the small village of Keeseville? Rich Frost, author of several books on regional travel and history, most recently Rich in History: A Lake Champlain Reader, will try to answer that question,

Continue reading Summer Speakers Series: Louis Riel–A rebel Comes To Keeseville

The American War for Independence was undertaken by thousands of individual men and women, each with a story to tell. The war they fought was the most important in our history. From Concord’s North Bridge, to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, to Valcour Island in our own backyard, this stirring presentation will share the stories of some of the remarkable figures that changed the history of the world. By seeing how earlier Americans have lived and struggled in their daily lives, we

Continue reading Why History Matters: 1776, Independence, and Valcour Island

Local Judge Matthew Adgate, Jr., served as a delegate to the NY State Convention in 1788. His work on behalf of Clinton County helped to shape our role in the state and in the nation. This presentation will look at his life and work, paying particular attention to his work during the Revolutionary War. Guest Speaker: Dr. Anastasia L. Pratt is the Clinton County (NY) Historian. She earned a BA in History from SUNY Plattsburgh and both an MA and

Continue reading Matthew Adgate: Local Judge and Delegate

Step back in time for the history and legacy of Old Peru's first village, the "Union". It was a Quaker settlement in the vicinity of the present Keese Homestead and Quaker Cemetery on what is now Union Road in the Town of Ausable. These early Quaker settlers or "Friends" as they preferred to be called, were mainly farmers who came from Dutchess County, NY. Guest Speaker: Helen Nerska is the Town of Peru Historian & the director of the Clinton

Continue reading A Union of Friends